Bed with invalid lift



Feb. 17, 1959 J. F. JOY

BED WITH INVALD LIFT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Jan. 6. 1950 //V VEN fon: @/055 PH A' do Y.

Feb. 17, 1959 .1. F. JOY

BED WITH INVALID LIFT- 5 sheeIS-slnetV 2 Original Filed Jan. 6, 1950 wm W% Ww E E. m .l1 Il. www, @Mk ,mw f n I .I. WW M WWII ...,H.. W w n\ mm m bw, I Il f IUI Il v# i QW ,QW ad n I .w @uw /NVE/VTRI JOSEPH E ./K

ATTORNEK Feb. 17, 1959 v J. F. JOY

BED WITH INVALID LIFT original Filed Jan. e, 195o 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 I Illa ATTORNEY.

Feb. 17, 1959 J. F. JOY 2,873,456

BED WITH INVALID LIFT Original Filed Jari 6, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 17, 1959 BED WITH INVALID LIFT originali Filed Jan'. s. 195o 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 A /Nw-:NTOR JOSEPH E Joy- #7mm/Ey J. F. JOY 2,873,456

United States Patent O `BED WITH INVALID LIFT Joseph F. Joy, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Continuation of application Serial No. 137,103, January 6, 1950. This application November S, 1954, Serial No. 467,083

This invention relates to a bed, especially to a hospital bed or a bed such as would be used by an injured or invalid person.

There are numerous body injuries which necessitate keeping the body quite immobile for a considerable length of time. An example is a back injury, such as a broken vertebra, which may require that the patients back be held against flexing until Vthe broken bone or bones can be healed. Such treatment conventionally requires that the patient be in a cast for a substantial length of time in order to hold the body of the patient against inadvertent movement. With many injuries of this type, it is possible to effect recovery of the patient by placing him in a cast which is open at the top, the patient lying in it. In such cases, it becomes desirable to remove the patient from the cast periodically to bathe the patient, wash the cast, or for like purposes.

It is, accordingly, an object of this invention to provide a bed for invalids or convalescent persons which enables movement of the patient without doing injury to the patient, such as might be incurred by excessive or inadvertent movement of one or more parts of the body. This and other objects are accomplished in a bed in which the patient is carried on a body support which is movable with respect `to a principal body support, such as a mattress, and which may be held above and spaced from the principal support for any desired length of time. In a bed of this type, the patient may lie in a cast and may easily be removed from the cast without aggravating his injuryv or without interfering with the healing of such` portions of thebody as may have been injured. The bed may be and preferably is mounted on wheels to enable its ready movement about the hospital or home, inasmuch as the bed itself must constitute the patients only means of getting about for such `time as it is necessary that the patient lie with a minimum of movement of one part of the body relative to another. 1

ln the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation view of a` bed made according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is an `end elevation view of the head end of the bed.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation view of the foot end of the bed. v Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view on line 4-4 of Fig. 3.

FigQS is a top plan view of the bed showniu Fig. l.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail viewwith parts broken away and in section `showing the drive mechanism which enables raising and lowering of the patient.

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but on a smaller scale andshowing portions of the bed in a diterent operating position.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig.4 7, but showing portions .of the bed in still another operating position.

Fig.` 9 is a view inside elevationY of another embodi- `,ment ofthe invention, and

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Fig. 10 -is a foot end view of the embodiment shown in Fig. 9. p

Referring now in detail to the drawings, a frame indicated generally at 2 is mounted ou wheels 4 and 6 to give it greater mobility. The trame has substantially upright end members; the end members could if desired be in the form of a single upright member at each end of the frame, but in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1-8, two head end members 8 and two ltoot end members 10 are shown. The end members 8 and 10 preferably consist of tubes secured to the angles of the trame by throughbolts 12. To give the entire structure rigidity, the members 8 are secured to a transverse frame member 14 by straps 16 bolted to the member 14, and the end members 10 are similarly secured to a transverse frame member 1S by similar straps 16 bolted to the member 1S. The members 8 support a transverse member 20 at their upper ends, and another transverse member 22 is secured to the members 3 in any suitable manner as, for example, by welding, between the two members 8 and at a height somewhere between their ends. A headboard 24 is secured to the end members by means of any suitable fastening means 26 engaging the headboard 24 and the transverse member 20, and by additional suitable fastening means 2S engaging the headboard and the transverse member 22.

in like manner, the end members 10 support a transverse member 36 at their upper ends and a transverse member 32. between them. A footboard 34 is secured in place by suitable fastening means 36 and 38 engaging transverse members 30 and 32 respectively.` p

A suitabie body support, such as a mattress 40, may be carried by the frame either directly or indirectly by being placed on a spring` of the enclosed, box type 42. A second body support 44 is preferably of the stretcher or little type consisting of a pair of side poles or members 46and a plurality ot ilexible straps 48 and 50 spanning. the two side members 46. The second body support 44 is movable vertically with respect to tne rst body support 40, and can be held above the mattress 40 and spaced therefrom. The holding means is associated with the" end members 8 and lt)V and consists of the head and footboards 24 and 34 respectively, provided with recesses 52 and 54 respectively, adapted to receive the ends of the side members 46. j

An intermediate body support 56 is provided between the mattress 40 and the stretcher 44. Body support 56 is preferably also of the litterY or stretcher type, consisting of side members Sti and a flexible body contact member or carrier 5t! of canvas or the like, spanning the two side members 58.

The stretcher 56 is` connected to be positively moved vertically. To thatend, aset of cooperating relatively rotatable threaded members is provided at .each end ofthe bed adjacentthe end members, the set 62 beingshown at the foot end. More speciticallygeach `set of cooperating relatively rotatable members `consists of a screw member 64 and a nut member 66. Screw` member 64 carries an extension 63 which is rotatable in a bearing 70 secured to the transverse member 32 byimeans of a plate'72. AThe lower end of screw 64 is rotatably mounted ina combination thrust and radial bearing 74 mounted in the cover Y *i6 or a drive housingfl'. To the lower end of screw`64 there is secured a sprocket 13d for thepurpcse of rotating the screw 64. v

The nut member 66 referred to above is carried in a tube or sleeve S2 whichr is' secured at `its upper endtd a transverse member 84. The: upper end of sleeve 82 is provided with .abushing through which thetextension 68 passes.

The foregoing description ofaaset ofacooperating-reltttively rotatable threaded members happens to apply specically to the set located at the foot end of the bed. It will, of course, be understood that a similar set 88 is provided at the head end of the bed. The sleeve of the `set 88 engages a transverse member 90, and the lower end of the screw 91 of the set 88 is secured to a sprocket 92 (Fig. 6)'. A drive chain 94 of any suitable type connects the two sprockets 80 and 92 in order to drive the two screws in unison. Motive means to drive the chain 94 is provided by an electric motor 96 which drives a pinion 98. A gear 100 meshes with pinion 98 and is secured to the lower end of screw 91 in order to drive the screw 91 and, through the sprockets 80 and 92 and the chain 94, the screw 64.

' Suitable tensioning means are preferably provided to keep the chain 94 tight. Such tensioning means may take the form of blocks 102 movable in guides 103 and biased to press against the chain by means of suitable springs 104.

Suitable leads for the motor will be connected through appropriate switching means to any suitable power source. The Vcontrol circuit for the motor will preferably include a reversing switch 106 of any satisfactory type, and a limit switch 108. lnasmuch as the details of the circuit do not form a part of the invention, it will suffice to point out merely that the limit switch 108 may include a plunger 109 which is moved upward by the transverse member 90 as the body support 56 approaches the upper limit of its movement, and a wire 110 suitably connected to pull plunger 109 down as the body support 56 approaches the lower limit of its movement.

' In order that the bed may be readily moved about, a pair of handles 112 is preferably secured to the transverse member 84 as an extension of the side members 58. It may further be noted that the wheels 6 may if preferred be mounted as casters in order to provide still further ease in moving the bed about.

- It will be noted that the housing 78 extends substantially the entire length of the bed. In order to prevent undue sagging due to the weight of the housing and the chain, the housing may be and preferably is supported at one or more points along its length by means of a block or blocks 114. Only one such block support is shown, but more of course may be used if considered desirable.

A bed made according to this invention is preferably provided with one or more attached tables or stands 116 swingable out of the way by being pivotally mounted on jointed arms 118 and 120. For the further convenience and comfort of the patient, an overhead bar or rail 122 is preferably secured to the upper ends of the headboards 24 and 34. A handle 124, movable along the rail 122, is conveniently provided to enable the patient to lift himself for the' purpose of making small adjustments in his body position. A mirror 126 may also be pivotally mounted on a carriage 128 which is movable along the rail. The pivoted mounting of the mirror, consisting of two pivot axes arranged at right angles, enables its adjustment at various angles toV permit the patient to see to eat from a tray that may be placed on his chest or to see portions of the room without turning his heard. It will, of course, be understood by those. skilled in the art that the mirror 126 may be mounted by means of a ball and socket joint instead of the double-hinge joint shown.

In order that the patient need be moved an absolute minimum, the stretcher 56 is preferably provided with an opening 130 to allow the patient to use a bed pan. The stretcher 56 will preferably be covered with a sheet, and a` supply of sheets for vthis purpose will preferably have suitable openings corresponding and cooperating with the opening 130.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and l0 shows the invention applied to a conventional hospital bed. In these iigures, a conventional bed is shown at 132 as having a head end member 134 and a foot end member 136. An upright end member 138 is offset as shown at 140 and has its lower end 141 secured to the head end member 134 by any suitable means as by bolts 142. Similarly, an upright end member 144, offset as shown at 146, has its lower end 147 secured to the foot end member 136 by bolts 142. Y

To the lower portions 141 and 147 of the upright end members 138 and 144, there are secured suitable casings 148, 148, each of which provides support for a thrust bearing for rotatable threaded members 150 and 152. A nut 154 threadedly engages the threaded member 150, and a. similar nut 156 threadedly engages the threaded member 152. Nut 154 extends inward through an opening or recess in the upright member 138, and nut 156 extends inward through an opening 158 in Vthe upright end member 144. Integral with each nut 154 and 156, there is a depending member 160 which engages at its lower and outer ends the side members or rails 58 of the intermediate body support (the canvas stretcher) 56. In the embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10, the side members or rails 46 of the strap stretcher 44 lie just outside the side members 58.

Recesses 54' are provided in the foot end upright mem ber 144 and similar recesses are provided in the head end upright member 138 to receive the side members 46 to hold the strap stretcher in its elevated position, A retaining member 162 is preferably pivotally mounted and held in place by a screw member 164. The members 162 are pivoted just above the recesses provided to receive the side members 46 and assure against inadvertent slipping out of the recesses by the side members 46.

Threaded member 150 is secured to, for rotation with and by, bevel gear 166 which meshes with another bevel gear 168. Gears 166 and 168 are housed at the upper end of upright member 13S. Similarly, threaded member 152 is secured to, for rotation with and by, bevel gear 170, which meshes with another bevel gear 172. Bevel gears 168 and 172 are secured to and rotatable with a shaft 174 which is rotatable in a tubular housing 176. A manually operable crank 178 is provided to turn the shaft 174. It will, of course, be understood by'those skilled in the art that the shaft 174 may be motor driven if desired, as shown in the embodiment of Figs. l-8.

As in the embodiment of Figs. 1 8, a handle 124 and mirror 126 may be provided on the tubular housing 176.

Operation The mattress 40 will normally be provided with a sheet just as an ordinary bed. The stretcher 56 is normally covered with a sheet as described above. When the sheet on the mattress 40 needs to be changed, that is done when the stretcher 56 andthe stretcher 44 are raised as in Fig. 7.

If the patients condition is such as to call for a cast as described above, the cast is preferably placed on the intermediate body support 56. The patient will be removed from the cast by raising stretchers 56 and 44 until side members 46 of stretcher 44 are high enough to be placed in notches 52 and 54. With strap stretcher 44 held in its raised position by the notched end members, canvas stretcher 56 is lowered to separate 'the patient from the cast. The patient is replaced in the cast by reversing the procedure outlined.

The raising and lowering of thetpatient are accom- V plished by means of the reversing circuit for the motor 96.

To raise the patient, the handle of switch 106 is moved to the Raise position to close a circuit for the Vmotor 96, causing it to drive the screws 64 and 91 in sucha direction as to raise the transverse members 84 and 90. As the stretcher 56 approaches the upper limit of its travel, the plunger 109 of limit switch 108 is engaged and the motor is stopped by interruption of the circuit. When it is desired to lower the patient, the handle of switch 106 is moved to the lower position, whereupon a circuit is closed in the reverse direction and the screws are rotated in the proper direction for lowering the transverse members 84 and 90. As the stretcher 56 approaches the lower limit of its travel, the wire 110 is engaged to open the limit switch and again interrupt the motor circuit.

It will be noted that the patient normally lies directly on the cross members 48 and 50 of the stretcher 44. The side members 46 of the stretcher 44 normally lie alongside the side members 58 and inward toward the patient from those side members 58. During the raising and lowering operation, the patient is, `of course, lying on the straps 48 and S0, but is actually supported on the canvas 60 of stretcher 56. When it is desired to wash the patients back, the stretchers 56 and 44 are raised to the upper limit of travel, in which position the side members 46 of stretcher 44 may engage the recesses 52 and 54 in the head and footboards respectively, as set forth above. The stretcher 56 can then be lowered to give the nurse or other attendant access to the patients back. The patients weight holds the side members 46 in the recesses. The straps 48 are easily moved longitudinally of the side members 46 to provide ready access to all portions of the underside of the patients body. The patient is then lowered by again raising the stretcher 56 until it supports the patient, whereupon the side members 46 may be removed from the recesses 52 and 54 and the patient may then be lowered again, in the manner described.

From the foregoing, the operation of the embodiment shown in Figs. 9 and 10 will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

To allow the patient to use the bed pan, the two stretchers 56 and 44 are preferably raised enough to permit the pan to be slipped in place easily between the patient and the mattress, after which the patient is lowered suiciently to establish rm contact with the pan. The advantages of such an arrangement will be evident to those who have had hospital experience.

It may be found in come cases, either after some recovery has been effected or in less seriously injured cases, that the second body support (the strap stretcher) 44 can be dispensed with, and substantially all the advantages of this invention in such cases can be realized with just the intermediate body support (canvas stretcher) 56.

It will be evident from the foreging to those skilled in the art that this invention provides an improved hospital bed or bed for invalids and the like, which enables handling of the patient with a minimum of exure of the patients body. Other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

This application is a continuation of my application Serial No. 137,103, filed January 6, 1950, now abandoned.

While there are in this application specifically described two forms which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that these forms of the same are shown for purposes of illustration, and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims. As an example, it may be pointed out that, if desired, the said intermediate body support may be of the strap stretcher type, in which case the said second body support could be omitted.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination: a frame having upright end members; a mattress carried by the frame; an intermediate stretcher having side members and positioned above the mattress and movable relative thereto; means to move the stretcher vertically relative to said mattress, said moving means including a transverse member at each end of the bed in engagement with said stretcher side members, a set of cooperating relatively rotatable threaded members at each end of the bed, means operatively connecting one threaded member Vof each set to its adjacent transverse member, and means to rotate the rotatable threaded member of each set, said last mentioned means being connected to rotate said rotatable threaded members in unison; a second stretcher mounted on the iirst and movable vertically therewith by said moving means; and a headboard and footboard secured to said end members and having recesses engaged by said second stretcher to hold the latter above said mattress and spaced from the mattress and said intermediate stretcher, said moving means being operable to move said intermediate stretcher vertically relative to said second stretcher while the latter remains supported by said headboard and footboard.

2. In combination, a frame having upright end members, a mattress carried by the frame, an intermediate stretcher positioned above the mattress and movable vertically relative thereto, means to move said stretcher vertically relative to the mattress, a second stretcher mounted on the first and movable vertically therewith by said moving means, said second stretcher having rigid side members, and a headboard and a footboard secured to the end members and having recesses engageable by said side members to hold said second stretcher above said mattress and spaced from the mattress and said intermediate stretcher, said moving means being operable to move said intermediate stretcher vertically relative to said second stretcher while the latter remains supported by said headboard and footboard.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 408,299 Ethier Aug. 6, 1889 559,974 Gorham May 12, 1896 620,800 Powley Mar. 7, 1899 659,755 Moulton Oct. 16, 1900 708,322 Dones Sept. 2, 1902 796,791 Anderson Aug. 8, 1905 919,865 Holden Apr. 27, 1909 982,807 Fravel Jan. 31, 1911 FOREIGN PATENTS 826 Great Britain 1885 4 399 Italy Apr. 6, 1886 218,387 France Dec. 30, 1891 7,948 Great Britain 1910 

